King’s Norton School for Boys Mobile Phone Approach
Introduction to the School’s Mobile Phone Review Consultation
We are pleased to invite you to participate in a consultation regarding the use of mobile phones at our school. As part of our ongoing efforts to create an optimal learning environment and ensure the well-being of our school community, we are reviewing our current mobile phone policy. We understand that mobile phones play an important role in students’ lives, but we also recognise the challenges they can present in terms of focus, safety and academic engagement.
The Increase in Mobile Phone Use and the Impact of Social Media
In recent years, the use of mobile phones among secondary school students has increased significantly. While these devices can offer valuable educational tools and opportunities for connection, their use has also raised concerns. For example, mobile phones provide young people with constant access to social media, which can have a profound impact on their emotional and social development.
Social media platforms, while allowing students to connect with their peers, can also lead to negative effects such as increased anxiety, cyberbullying and distractions. The pressure to keep up with social media trends, manage online personas and respond to constant notifications can affect students’ mental health and overall well-being. Moreover, excessive mobile phone use can interfere with sleep patterns, reduce face-to-face social interaction and impact concentration in the classroom.
As a school, we want to balance the benefits of technology with its potential drawbacks. This consultation will explore how we can manage mobile phone use in a way that minimises distractions, supports students’ mental health and enhances their educational experience.
The Consultation Process
We will be holding a full stakeholder review and encourage you to complete our survey to provide feedback.
- What is the objective?
“This consultation aims to review how mobile phone usage is managed in school to ensure a positive learning environment while considering the views of all stakeholders and the school’s educational goals”
In recent months there has been growing awareness of the harmful effects of smartphones on young people’s mental, physical and academic well-being. New research has received extensive media coverage and recently the Australian Government have begun a campaign to raise the age limit on social media apps to 16. It is beyond doubt that young people spend a lot of time on their phones, on social media and on gaming. We want to review the views of all involved to see if the school policies support the best interests of our stakeholders and the learning and well-being of our students.
2. Who are the stakeholders and what are their roles in this consultation?
Parents/Guardians:
Provide perspectives on their children’s mobile phone usage, their views on the need for connectivity and their opinions on the desired outcomes.
Teachers and Support Staff:
Share observations on how mobile phones impact on the classroom, on learning and on social dynamics in school.
Students:
Offer feedback and insight into why and how they use phones during the school day, and how their mobile device affects their thoughts and feelings.
School Leadership Team:
To review the feedback and the wider landscape, and ensure any changes align with the Education Act, DfE guidance and the school’s broader educational goals, ensuring effective communication, sharing the overall picture of the feedback and providing clarity of the school’s next steps.
3. How will the Consultation be organised?
Format:
We will use a combination of surveys, interviews and focus groups to seek feedback and information.
Timeline:
| Estimated Schedule | Activity | Format |
| October – December | Review the need for a consultation | Parent forum / interviews |
| December – February | Collect parental views | Surveys |
| January – March | Collect staff views | Surveys |
| January – March | Collect student views | Surveys |
| March – April | Format feedback and share the views and data collected | |
| April – May | Analyse for ease of use, explore issues and potential solutions. | Interviews / focus groups |
| May – June | Formulate school policy based on the collective views from the consultation, the local and national landscape, any limiting factors (e.g. DfE guidance or law changes) and the school’s broader educational goals | |
| June | Share proposed policy feedback opportunity for stakeholders | Surveys |
| July | Communicate the final school policy on mobile phones |
To complete the online survey please visit: https://forms.office.com/e/UcUv2r94za